Gili Meno: A Paradise for Peace Seekers

This is the second time I have been to Indonesia. We traveled from April 10-24, 2018, starting in Kuala Lumpur, Bali, Surabaya, Malang, Bromo, and Gili Islands. We have previously written about Bali and Bromo, and this time we would like to talk about the Gili Islands. Since we were flying domestically, we started from Surabaya to Lombok and returned from Lombok to Bali. We stayed on the island for 3 days and 2 nights. (We will share pictures of the views and various places later.)

Lombok is an island located near Bali, with three smaller islands off its coast: Gili Meno, Gili Air, and Gili Trawangan.

Which island would you like to visit?

Gili Air

The island closest to Lombok, Gili Meno is the second most popular island for tourists after Gili Trawangan. It is suitable for those who prefer a more relaxed party atmosphere.

Gili Meno

Gili Trawangan: A Tranquil Island Paradise

Gili Trawangan is an idyllic island perfect for those seeking relaxation, serenity, and immersion in nature. Its pristine beaches invite you to unwind with a cold beer and soothing music, while the crystal-clear waters offer unparalleled snorkeling opportunities right off the shore.

The island is a top tourist destination, renowned for its vibrant party scene and bustling crowds.

Travel

• The journey from Lombok Praya Airport to Bansal Port takes approximately 2 hours by taxi.

• There are two types of boats from Bansal Pier to the island: speedboats and public boats.

• If you are coming from Bali Island by boat, you can travel from Padang Bali (Bali Port). I don't know the price and time of the boat, but there is definitely one.

Currency Exchange

We exchanged from Twelve Victory Exchange at 0.0025 idr (rupiah).

Communication

AIS 2fly SIM Card: 4GB Data for 8 Days

This sentence advertises an AIS 2fly SIM card offering 4GB of data for 8 days at a cost of 299 baht. The activation code is 111354#.

Note: This translation is concise and informative, avoiding unnecessary details and colloquialisms. It also maintains a formal tone and uses the active voice.

You can subscribe before your trip. This time we went for 14 days, so we contacted the service counter to set the time, date, and start date. However, if there is a problem after 8 days, you can press the subscription number abroad (this is because we had a problem where the money we had topped up was deducted for something without our knowledge, leaving us with insufficient funds to deduct the package within the 8 days after).

Time

One hour ahead of Thailand

Accommodation

Book on Book.com

April 17, 2018

Surabaya-Lombok 06:55 - 08:50 by Lion Air. Woke up early in the morning! Looking from above, there are many small islands. I'm not sure if those three peaks are Gili, because it's our first time here.

Upon exiting the airport, there is no need to search for a taxi, as they will approach you. Ignore them and listen attentively to the prices they offer. Before you even mention your destination, everyone will quote you a price. Choose the one you feel most comfortable with. For 200,000 idr, you can reach the Bansal port. If you are sharing the ride, it will be cheaper, but as I was traveling alone, I had to pay the full fare. The journey from the airport to the port takes about 2 hours, which provides ample time to relax and enjoy the ride.

Upon arrival at the pier, you will find a single-story building. Walk in to purchase tickets inside. Restrooms are also available inside (payment required: 2000 idr).

The ferry to the island takes about this long at the counter. There are two types of ferries to the island: speedboat and public.

We opted for the public ferry to Gili Meno, which cost 25,000 IDR. There were only two departures: one at 10 or 11 am (I can't recall the exact time), and the other at 2 pm. Gili Trawangan, on the other hand, has frequent ferry departures, so there's no need to worry.

Prepare to board the ship.

Passengers will include both locals and those transporting goods to the island. The journey from the pier to Koh Gili Meno takes approximately 40 minutes to 1 hour. I apologize, but I cannot recall the exact duration due to memory lapse.

This is a drop-off point for boats, not a pier, bridge, or anything else. You simply jump into the water and swim to shore (although this is an exaggeration). The boats you see parked there are used to transport people to a speedboat anchored offshore, not far from the coast.

Upon arrival, we walked to our accommodation, which was conveniently located near the boat dock. For those with accommodations further away or who prefer not to walk, horse-drawn carriages are available on the island (horse-drawn carriages are the primary mode of transportation on the island). However, we did not use this service, so we are unable to provide pricing information. Gili Meno is small enough that we were able to walk and cycle around the entire island. If you'd like to explore the island at a leisurely pace, consider renting a bicycle. We stayed at Turtle Gili Meno Bungalows for two nights.

Upon arrival, the late hour prompted us to engage in a leisurely activity: cycling around the island. The terrain, however, presented challenges, with sandy stretches requiring us to push our bicycles at times. Exacerbating the situation, knee issues arose, hindering our progress.

Along the way, there are snorkel rentals and diving packages for sale. What's even more heartbreaking is that they come in pairs, walking hand-in-hand into the water, beautiful. (Please pan the camera to the face of the lonely person 2018.)

The surrounding view of the island offers a glimpse of Gili Air and Gili Gede, which are located in close proximity.

As I wandered through the market, I stumbled upon a stall selling vintage items. Shoes, hats, and lighters, among other things, were displayed as mementos.

Suddenly, the sky became overcast, and then it started to rain. The sunset was ruined. Disaster!

April 18, 2018

Today, we bought a snorkeling package from our accommodation. The meeting time was set at 10:00 AM. We opted for a shared package, and the owner of the accommodation told us that we might feel lonely and would have the opportunity to talk to other people. We thought about it and decided to go for it. In the morning, the owner of the accommodation walked us to the meeting point and told the guide that we couldn't swim. The guide said that they would take care of us. Everyone else had a partner, except for an aunt who also came alone, but her outfit was amazing. Today, there were 3 couples, 2 single people, and 2 guides, making a total of 8 people. There was also 1 boat driver and 1 guide who led the snorkeling, making a total of 10 people. They provided us with fins, snorkels, and life jackets. And it wasn't just the Thai girls like us who wore life jackets; the Western girls who went also wore them. Haha.

The boat we will be taking today.

No text provided for translation.

The sea is clear and the water is beautiful today, after the rain yesterday. While waiting for people, I walked around taking pictures.

The boat was about to leave when the guide came to open the curtain. The passengers were amazed by the view below.

The following is a purely underwater experience. The images may be clear or unclear at times, as some were captured from videos we took. We started diving at 10:00 AM and finished at noon. During the few hours, we focused on the substance rather than the water. The guide led us on a continuous dive, with the boat following behind to pick us up. The guide also held our hands while diving, as we had mentioned that we were not able to swim.

We really like this kind of aura.

The first time I went snorkeling and saw a turtle, I almost screamed underwater. The guide was startled and asked if I was scared. I just smiled and thought to myself, "Mom and Dad, I just saw a turtle while snorkeling!" They say that no matter how you dive here, you're bound to see a turtle.

After that, we jumped off the cliff. The guide told her she could do it, so she foolishly followed. She managed to scramble down, and this was considered the highlight. Ta-da!

On the return trip, the guide invited me to sit and chat at the bow of the boat with an aunt who was traveling alone. She was very lively, as if she had come with someone else, but her friend liked to party, so they went to different islands. I told her it was my birthday, and she immediately played a happy birthday song. I opened my arms wide, feeling very beautiful that day. The guide volunteered to take me to see the sunset. We made a clear appointment. She came to pick me up at my accommodation and walked to the other side of the island as planned. Gili Meno is very small, but walking back and forth still made me sweat. While we were sitting and talking during the sunset, I was curious, so I interviewed her. I asked her where she went to party, and she said they took a boat to Gili Trawangan. I asked her how she got back if she was drunk, and she said sometimes they slept on the boat and came back in the morning, and sometimes they drove the boat like a snake when they were drunk. Well, that's quite serious. And they didn't just go for fun. She said they gathered in a group of 10 and took a small boat. Wow, if you make an appointment with a friend, you have to take a big boat to eat together. How serious do you have to be?

When the tide recedes, people on the island go out to collect shellfish.

I'm not sure what kind of creature it is, but it's squishy and when I picked it up, water squirted out.

A colossal starfish, stranded on a rocky outcrop as the tide recedes.

Don't touch, don't touch, don't touch! Oh, you've touched everything.

Gazing upon the colorful lights of the island across the way.

Romantic ambiance with dim lighting, sipping beer, and listening to music.

Today is my birthday, so my wife went all out to take care of me. I just ordered food, and it wouldn't be complete without a few snacks to nibble on.

After finishing her meal, she presented a plan. "Hey, there's plankton here!" she exclaimed. "This place has plankton. It's a pity I couldn't capture it in a photo. It might not be as abundant as the full expanse of blue-glowing sand, but if you look closely, it rises with the waves that wash ashore, creating glowing blue dots. I picked one up from the sand and placed it on my hand. It's a shame it's just a picture. It's like a tiny creature, like a firefly. A truly memorable and impressive gift for the day."

May 19, 2018

Today, I'm returning to Bali. The ticket booth is a small glass room located next to the boat dock. The schedule for boats to various islands is posted on the glass. The public boat from Gili Meno Island to Bansal Port departs at two times: 25,000 idr.

Speed boat from Gili Meno to Bansal Pier with a stop at Gili Air for 85,000 idr.

On the way back, we opted for a speed boat and then a taxi to the airport.

The interior of the ship is vastly different from what we experienced on the way here.

If given the opportunity, we would love to return. We thoroughly enjoyed the island's small size and tranquility. Next time, we hope to visit all three islands. This concludes our account of our memorable experience. We apologize for the brevity, as a longer version might induce slumber. Thank you to everyone who read our story.

Expenses for a 3-day, 2-night trip to the island

Surabaya-Lombok 670,000 idr

Lombok-Bali 450,000 idr (Flight tickets if booked in Thailand, I think it will be cheaper than booking at the counter)

Accommodation cost for 2 nights at Turtle Gili Meno Bungalows: 382,500 idr

Rent a bicycle for 40,000 IDR.

Public boat fare from Bansal to Gili Meno is 25,000 idr.

The cost of a speedboat from Gili Meno to Bansal is 85,000 Indonesian Rupiah.

The round-trip taxi fare from the airport to the port is 400,000 IDR.

The diving cost is 150,000 IDR.

Excluding food costs.

Totaling 2,202,500 Indonesian Rupiah, approximately 5510 Thai Baht in full figures.

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

As mentioned above, here are some beautiful pictures of various locations:

Note: The original text mentions "Tumpak Sewu Waterfall" as a specific location. However, the provided translation only includes the general heading "Beautiful Pictures of Various Locations." If you would like me to translate the specific location name as well, please let me know.

Teluk Asmoro, Malang's Southern Ocean Beach

This place is popular for locals to camp by the sea, especially during weekends. There is a scenic viewpoint that requires a bit of a climb, but it offers stunning views. However, the viewpoint is currently under renovation.

Nyang Nyang Beach

Lake Bratan Temple

handara

Uluwatu Temple

The sun sets.

Here are some photos of Mount Bromo and its surroundings. When we first visited in 2016, we couldn't climb to the crater because the volcano was erupting. It wasn't a full-blown eruption, but smoke was constantly billowing out. The first two photos were taken during that visit.

This was in 2018 when I went there.

Impressed and delighted ^^